EARL BEACONSFIELD'S SPEECH ON THE WAR.

West Coast Times, Issue 2742, 15 January 1878, Page 3

EARL BEACONSFIELD'S SPEECH ON THE WAR.

At the Lord Mayor's banquet in the Guildhall, London, on November 9th, and in responding to the toast of "Her Majesty's Ministers," the Earl of Beaconsfield commenced his speech with an allusion to the Indian famine, and said that the ex-Lord Mayor would always remember with pride that he was the chosen fiduciary of the charity of the British Empire. Turning to the war in the East, he reminded his audience of the policy which the Ministry had announced thdr intention to pursue — a policy of conditional neutrality, from which they bad never swerved. " But," continued the speaker, " while we announced that neutrality which we were prepared to observe, we declared at the same time that thaf neutrality must cease when British interests were assailed or menaced. (Cheers.) Cosmopolitan critics, men who cru the friends of every country save their own — (h ar, hear) — have denounced this policy as a selfish policy. My Lord Mayor, it i& as selfish as patriotism, but it is the policy of her Majesty's Government, which they adopted from the first, and which they have maintained, and they believe that it is their duty to protect British interests. That is a policy which they believe the people of this country have sanctioned and adopted. My Lord Mayor, there might have been many reasons which might have induced us to adopt that policy, but theie was one which I may mention that was more for the benefit of England thiin it was for the benefit of Turkey. For some years it has been a dogma of diplomatics that Turkey was a phrase and not a fact, that its Government was a phantom, that its people were effete, and that it was used merely as a name by statesmen to maintain the balance of power to secure the peace of Europe. If that were the case, in the mind of her Majesty's Government a repetition of what took place in the Crimea v/ould have been the greatest error, and if a people are effete, if their Government is a great fiction, why the sooner that is proved in the face of the civilised world the better Well, you know what proof has been given upon those subjects during the last year. You have listened to the modest speech o f the representative of the Sultan this evening, and you must have felt, while he spoke, that his Government and his country have shown that vigor and that resource which have proved that they have the right to be recognised among the sovereign powers of the world. (Cheers.) The independence of Turkey was a subject of discussion a year ago, The independence of Turkey, whatever may be the effect of war — and war changes like the moon — the independence of Turkey is not affected by war— it has been proved by half a million of warriors who have devoted their lives to their country, without pay, and without reward. (Cheers.) My Lord Mayor, you may fairly ask me to state what is the prospect of peace id the present state of affairs. . Ido not take the desponding view which some invariably do upon such subjects. lam encouraged not to take a desponding view because I remember what has been the conduct on principal occasions of the grpat and chief belligerents in the contest. I cannot forget thnt the Emperor of Russia, with a magnanimity characteristic of his elevated character — (hear, hear)— announced on the eve ofthe commencement of this war that his only object was to secure the safety and the happiness ot the Christian subjects of the Potte — (cheers and some laughter) and that be pledged his Imperial word of honor that he sought no increase of territory. I cannot forget that his Highness the Sultan has declared in the most formal manner that he is prepared to secure all those changes which will give to the Christian subjects of the Porte that safety and that welfare which the Emperor of Russia desires ; and therefore when I have these two statiments from such high authority, made in a manner so solemn and so earnest by the two sovereigns that are at this moment in collision and in contest, I think I have a right to. say that peace ought not to be an impossible achievement and conclusion. But then, it is said, a difficulty prevents the Emperor of Russia and the Sultan of Turkey, though they are entirely agreed on every subject— (laughter) — from bringing about this peace which is desired. It is said that the military prestige of Russia demands a continuance of this war. Well, my Lord Mayor, there are different opinions upon the subject of military prestige. In my opinion military prestige does not depend upon a single victory ether way. A single victory may depend upon chance or fortune ; may even with a bold commander depend upon transient circumstances which may not occur. But what is the real foundation of military predtige f It is when a great country and a powerful Government can command the military service of a nation, great, determined, and disciplined ; and whatever may be the accidents of the present war either way, no one can say of the Russian soldier that he has not proved himself an en-

! during and disciplined and most courageous man. (Hear, hear.) There have boen feats of valor performed by them even in defeat which rarely have been excelled — such, for example, as were exhibited before the fortifications at Plevna. And therefore I cannot conceive — totally irrespective of the news of the hour, which may bring military prestige to either ofthe contending parties, if it is to be defined by a single victory — I cannot understand thnt under any circumstances the military prestige of Russia has been injured. You may say to me, my Lord Mayor, " But have you really no hope, can you not encourage the citizess of London o*i this occasion by giving them any hope of the return of peace between these two I great Powers ?" I would say, in answer to such a question, as was said by a wise statesman in the eighteenth century to a friend who came to him and told him of bis troubles. He said he had no hope. Horace 1 Walpole said to him, " Have a little patience." (Laughter.) My Lord Mayor, her Majesty's Government have both hope and patience, and I hope the time may not be far distant when, with the rest of the Powers of Europe, we may contribute to that which may not only secure the peace but also the independence of Europe. I really trust that when her Majesty's Ministers, whoever they may be, who address your successor, or perhaps yourself, here next year, I trust that the brilliancy of your histoiic festival will not be marred by speeches of Ministers who can only talk of famine and of slaughter.